Look To Windward

The Culture is back - and this time, it's personal. It has been argued that the Culture is a 'post-socialist' society and it is certainly interesting to consider how the author's conception of this perfect world managed by the machines has become more dissatisfied and questioning. Just like its real-world analogue (Banks is a staunch left-winger and, one might suppose, less than impressed with Blairism) it moves ever further from its ideals. For the first time in this book, a Utopia which was always slightly spooky takes on a darker aspect. Could a rogue Mind really be responsible for the deliberate destruction of an entire planet? Is the information-rich society starving for a lack of truth? As ever, don't read Banks for any straight answers; simply revel in the questions he raises. Overlaying the ideas, of course, is the action. Banks again displays his ability to weave multiple narrative threads into a thrilling whole. He skilfully varies both the pace and the mood of his writing and is particularly strong on characterization. Look to Windward is a welcome addition to the Culture canon, and will please both the novice and the die-hard fan alike. (Kirkus UK)